The Isla de la Cartuja, as this area of the city is known, was developed hastily for Expo ’92 in the form of numerous pavilions, on land where only the old monastery previously stood. Since then, despite the daily operation of some of the spaces, the streets remain empty stages—a city waiting to be inhabited.
Even in 2017, on the 25th anniversary of the Universal Exposition, there is still not a single home in La Cartuja. Through this proposal and under the motto ‘Inhabiting a space within another space’, we advocate for returning residential use to this territory, starting from its heart: the monastery, while maintaining a respectful perspective toward the environment and heritage.
In this regard, the proposal involves constructing a series of living units in the form of a new cloister around a pre-existing warehouse to temporarily house artists and young creators in the CAAC gardens. Built with sustainable materials and minimal impact, this new housing for young people seeks to foster a better balance between work, personal life, and social relationships, as well as a new connection with this area of the city.